Comments on: Buying a Beef Steer 101

By: Alli

Alli — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 02:55:02 +0000

In reply to Marla A Green. These posts might be helpful: Bottle feeding calves, bucket training calves, treating sick calves.

By: Marla A Green

Marla A Green — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 22:13:09 +0000

We have 2 bottle baby steers. Partially eating hay. Just got them yesterday. Still learning. Giving them alfapha and grain and alittle milk. They are 200lbs per the guy who sold them to us and 8 weeks old. They seem to be doing OK. One is alittle smaller than the other. The bigger one I'd a go getter with the bottle but them seem pretty happy so far. Hubby built them a learn to yesterday.

By: Alli

Alli — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 07:07:24 +0000

In reply to Heather. Hi Heather! Great questions. I'd get two - they do better with a companion and actually competitively eat so they gain a little better. Steers are best for meat. Here are some questions to consider: are they on solid food or bottle-fed milk? Do you have fencing and feed/water areas set up? Are they adequate for winter? Do you have shelter for them? Feed? Are the bull calves young enough to be castrated? You don't want a bull running around! I say go for it!! It sounds like a great opportunity to get your feet wet.

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 23:19:16 +0000

Hi! Great info. Newbie here. My neighbor has three calves he’d like to get rid of. He knows nothing about them because they were given to him for use of his big property. Since we’ve been talking about trying cattle raising, we thought we would take a calf or two from him. He has no idea what breed or anything. Should we go for it? What do you recommend? Should we take a bull and heifer? We’re not sure what to do? They all look healthy. Thank you!
Heather

By: Alli

Alli — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 13:44:06 +0000

In reply to Karen. Great tip!! I love Temple Grandin. I can definitely see how that would encourage head butting. Although depending on when we get our steers...it might be too late just since someone else has usually raised them for a little bit. I'll be sure to try it out!

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 04:35:01 +0000

Alli- your head butting comments made me laugh! Been there done that... I want to let you in on a little secret I learned from Temple Grandin though (love her!)... Although it is tempting, she said to NEVER ever touch a cow on the forehead. Ears, great. Cheeks, great. Nose, great. But the forehead is a big no, no. I'm sure you can guess why that is-- that's what cows use to push others around with. So, I've tried this ever since then and ya know what?!? It works!! I haven't been head butted in years by bottle calves or my milk cow or any other docile cattle. It's great! You should try it out and let me know if it works for you, too!! :)